Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 131: Stirring Up Trouble

Chapter 131: Stirring Up Trouble

Upon seeing Emma Hart’s hesitation, Amelia Davidson casually tossed the project details her way.

"There’s nothing challenging here. It’s just a local big shot’s specialty product. It doesn’t have to be overly fancy. You should be able to handle it well, given it’s not technically demanding. Consider it practice."

Amelia handed the design project to Emma with ease.

Working on the design in her office, Emma found herself feeling drowsy in the afternoon.

Pregnant and unable to consume coffee, she decided to head downstairs for some tea instead.

She ordered a fruit tea and returned to her desk, savoring the pleasant afternoon.

Damien Sterling, indeed, knew how to enjoy life, having situated the beverage shop on the top floor for direct sunlight and warmth.

As Emma settled down, she was approached by a familiar face. "Is it you?"

Oliver Westmore, holding a coffee, took a seat. "What a coincidence. I had some business with the Sterling Group and heard great things about this café. I had to see it for myself."

"It’s quite the coincidence, indeed. We always seem to meet in places where we drink something."

Oliver half-jokingly suggested, "Maybe next time, we could meet for a meal. You still owe me one."

Emma remembered indeed owing him a meal, "I don’t default on my debts."

Emma, recalling the blurry events of a night spent drinking, ventured, "About that day..."

"You mean in City B?" Oliver asked nonchalantly.

"Was it really you?" Emma was puzzled; she hadn’t seen Oliver after waking up that day.

"Yes, I happened to be at that hotel and saw you. Then your friend arrived, and I left."

Emma nodded, "Thank you." Whether he referred to Damien Sterling or Amelia as the friend, Emma couldn’t be sure.

"Why do you look so tired?"

"Me?" Emma sipped her juice and blinked innocently, "I’m not tired."

Oliver earnestly offered, "A girl shouldn’t work so hard. Why not come work at my company?" His proposal seemed sincere, not at all in jest.

Emma glanced at Oliver, jokingly retorting, "You’re a bit late with that offer."

Had she met Oliver while struggling to find a job, she might have considered his company.

But imagining working for Oliver and the potential consequences, especially considering Damien Sterling’s cold demeanor, made Emma shudder.

Better not to complicate things further.

Emma Hart’s phone suddenly rang with a number that hardly spelled friendliness; it was from her grandmother.

The title "grandmother" seemed to cling only by a thread in her contacts, with familial affection barely hanging on by those few letters.

Emma answered the call with visible annoyance, "Hello?"

"Oh, Emma," her grandmother cooed affectionately.

Emma couldn’t help but scoff internally. Was her grandmother really calling her out of affection, or was there an ulterior motive?

"I don’t have money!" Emma stated bluntly, casting an apologetic glance at Oliver Westmore across from her before hanging up.

Oliver observed Emma’s trembling with anger, surprised to see her usual calm demeanor so disrupted, "Is there anything I can help with?" he offered.

Emma waved off his concern, "Sorry, it’s nothing."

Her phone rang again, this time from her brother.

She dismissed the call without a second thought, feeling her mood plummet at the reminder of her family’s troubles, viewing the world in shades of gray.

"Excuse me, I need to leave," Emma apologized, her expression troubled.

Oliver didn’t pry further, maintaining his polite demeanor.

Behind them, the sound of a camera shutter made Emma instinctively look back, sensing something amiss but too preoccupied to dwell on it.

Stepping outside, her phone rang once more, another call from her brother.

Emma answered, frustration in her tone, "Have you started seeing me as a cash cow just like grandma?"

"Sis, sis, please come save me!" her brother’s panicked voice came through.

Despite her harsh words, Emma’s heart raced with worry, "What’s wrong? Where are you?"

"I’m at the bar next to school!"

Following her brother’s directions, Emma found herself in a smoky bar, the air thick with the stench of cigarettes.

Men with tattoos leered at her, the purity of her appearance making them boldly propose, "Little lady, looking for some fun in broad daylight? Let’s have a few drinks."

From the back, a desperate cry broke through, "Sis! I’m here!"

Emma Hart rushed over in panic, only to find her brother tied to a chair.

"What’s happening?" she exclaimed.

Spotting Emma, one bald man approached her, eyes shifting between her and her brother before reaching out towards Emma’s face with a smirk, "You’ve got such a beautiful sister! Well, with that figure, have your sister work a few nights out, and the debt you owe will be paid back!"

"Don’t touch my sister, she has a lot of money!"

Upon hearing this, the man put down his hand and looked at Emma Hart, "How much money do you have? Don’t lie to me, kid! That’s okay, she’ll help you pay it off in one go."

"What have you done!" Emma couldn’t believe her brother, who was supposed to be in college, ended up in such a place.

What came next chilled her to the bone, "Your brother tried to play big at cards and now owes us nearly half a million. So, how do you plan to repay this debt?"

"Half a million?" Emma stared in disbelief at her brother.

"Sis, don’t listen to their nonsense. I only owe them thirty thousand."

The bald man slapped her brother across the face in response, "What, debts don’t accrue interest?"

Emma instantly understood the nature of the debt, but with her current powerlessness, she stood no chance against these men.

Seeing Emma’s lack of response, the man kicked her brother in the leg, eliciting a scream akin to a pig being slaughtered, "Sis, save me!"

Emma cried out, "Stop, I’ll pay the debt!"

The bald man stroked his head, his smile both triumphant and greedy, "Alright, you have three days. If you don’t come up with the money, don’t blame me for what happens to your brother..." He paused, turning his gaze to Emma, "and to you, I won’t be polite."

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